I love dogs.
I don't know how this happened, but I now live with three -- Chipper, an ill-tempered but really cute long-haired Chihuahua; Piiko, a beautiful white-and-cream Peke-a-Poo and their daughter, Pookie Belle. By the way, Chipper is now fixed, so there will be no more accidents.
Pookie was born jet black with little white paws. She's almost 5-months-old and the black is falling out and being replaced with silver. People ask if she's a Schnauzer. No. Just a mutt. OK, a designer mutt, which seems to be all the rage these days.
She was sick last Thursday, so Friday morning, I took her to our veterinarian, Dr. Myers of the Buena Vista Road Animal Hospital. He said she had an intestinal upset and gave her a shot and some medication.
Pookie seemed to be better Saturday morning. So my sisters and I went out. When we were at Target, our mother called and said when she let the dogs out, two came in. Pookie didn't come when she called and she couldn't find her.
We got home as soon as we could and we fanned out in the yard, calling her name. No response.
My sister Patty said she's dead or dying. Yes, she's Ms. Sensitivity. But it's true. When dogs feel yucky, they hole up somewhere.
Finally, I said to Piiko, "Where is your baby?" Piiko went to a spot near our vine-covered stone barbecue, which we haven't used in more than a decade.
After the third time she went there, I called Pookie's name and she responded with a weak woof.
Patty went to get her. She was stuck under some vines between the barbecue and the neighbor's fence, which is about six inches wide. She was too weak to get out. I hate to think what would have happened if she hadn't barked.
We took her to the Animal Emergency Center on the Manchester Expressway, where they recommended that she stay overnight. She was dehydrated and Dr. Freeman said she was sick and depressed.
When I called yesterday, they recommended that she stay one more night.
This morning, I got a call and they said I could get her. So I washed my face, got dressed and went there at 7:30 a.m. Pookie looked much better than I did with no makeup on. When I held her, she was shaking. I don't know if she was just cold or scared. By the time I was half-way home, she was OK. But instead of riding in my lap as usual, she sat on the seat next to me.
I got her home and the first thing she did was greet her parents. Chipper sniffed at her and then went on with his business. Piiko, though, licked her face and licked it again.
I think she's on the mend.
We still don't know what caused the stomach upset. It could have been anything. She's always in the yard eating stuff. But if anyone got sick, I would think it would be Piiko. She's really a digger and she'll come in with stuff in her mouth. Rocks, sticks, whatever.
Our pets really do become our children. At least for people I know.
My friend Janet Roddy called me today and said Bruiser died of cancer earlier this month. Bruiser was a mixed breed dog. Janet used to own a dance school here in town and for a while in Americus. She and her assistant, Phoebe Caldwell, would drive to Americus several times a week. One day, they spotted puppies in the road. They stopped. Janet scooped up the puppies while Phoebe stopped traffic. They ended up with nine puppies. Janet found homes for seven of them and she kept Bruiser and his sister Cricket.
She loves animals as much as I do.
Saturday, she found a dog that was hit by a car. She said he was a beautiful red dog and two other women stopped to help. One of them gave her a towel and a sweatshirt to wrap him in and it took all three of them to get the dog into Janet's car.
She took the dog to the Animal Emergency Center. I told her we must have missed each other that day.
Janet cried when she said the poor dog didn't make it. In just a few short hours, she became that attached to him. She said she thought she had another dog to take home.
She had me crying with her. A pretty sight here at work, I'm sure.
I do know that she's going to have a special place in heaven because she's always taking in strays. Taz was a close-to-death puppy when Janet rescued her. Now, she's a happy, fat dog, playing with Cricket.
In fact, it's Janet who called me and asked if I'd take Piiko. I really can't remember what name Piiko had before. She was 8-weeks-old and when she saw me, she came running with her tail wagging. How could I leave her?
Anyway, that's what my weekend was like.
Actually, it wasn't all trauma. Yesterday, I did a little gliding. John and Vicky Partin have opened Chattahoochee Glide, where they give tours on Segways.
I got to ride one for a while on Bay Avenue. It's fun. And if a klutz like me can do it, anyone can.
I'm going to go back later on for a Sunday Living story.
Keep an eye out for that.
I'll get back to the Arts next time.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
That Clason!
I got a note in the mail from Clason Kyle. The only man I know for whom bon vivant was invented.
Like the Wizard of Oz, Clason knows all. He really does.
When the Columbus Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, conductor and music director George Del Gobbo said he was the fourth conductor?
Huh?
I knew that it was Bob Barr, Harry Kruger and George.
No, no. George said there was a guy in between Barr and Kruger but no one can remember his name.
I started calling all sorts of people and finally, Harry said it was a guy named Theodore Gargiulo. He was in the Army and was at Fort Benning. But no one knew what happened to him.
So I wrote the story, which ran on a Sunday.
The next day, I had a voice mail from Clason, who said if I'd asked him, he could have told me the conductor's name and given me a phone number to call him.
Sheesh. Since then, you better believe I call Clason.
Anyway, this letter from Clason was a copy of the local page of the Monterey Herald in California.
Gargiulo died at age 90 in December.
After leaving Columbus, he was stationed at the now-closed Fort Ord, where he served as music director of Morale Support Services.
Apparently, he led a full life as a conductor and composer. In 2001, he received a lifetime achievement award at Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York City. His opera, "Tryllias," was considered for a Pulitzer Prize in 2004.
His obituary said that he was chief music critic, reviewer and features writer for the Ledger-Enquirer for seven years. I asked Jerry Gibson, who has worked here for almost 40 years if he remembered him and he said no. Perhaps he was what we call a stringer. A writer who is not on the payroll, but writes stories as they come along.
For what it's worth, he was the second conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and needed to be acknowledged.
Thank you, Maestro. And thank you, Clason.
Like the Wizard of Oz, Clason knows all. He really does.
When the Columbus Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, conductor and music director George Del Gobbo said he was the fourth conductor?
Huh?
I knew that it was Bob Barr, Harry Kruger and George.
No, no. George said there was a guy in between Barr and Kruger but no one can remember his name.
I started calling all sorts of people and finally, Harry said it was a guy named Theodore Gargiulo. He was in the Army and was at Fort Benning. But no one knew what happened to him.
So I wrote the story, which ran on a Sunday.
The next day, I had a voice mail from Clason, who said if I'd asked him, he could have told me the conductor's name and given me a phone number to call him.
Sheesh. Since then, you better believe I call Clason.
Anyway, this letter from Clason was a copy of the local page of the Monterey Herald in California.
Gargiulo died at age 90 in December.
After leaving Columbus, he was stationed at the now-closed Fort Ord, where he served as music director of Morale Support Services.
Apparently, he led a full life as a conductor and composer. In 2001, he received a lifetime achievement award at Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York City. His opera, "Tryllias," was considered for a Pulitzer Prize in 2004.
His obituary said that he was chief music critic, reviewer and features writer for the Ledger-Enquirer for seven years. I asked Jerry Gibson, who has worked here for almost 40 years if he remembered him and he said no. Perhaps he was what we call a stringer. A writer who is not on the payroll, but writes stories as they come along.
For what it's worth, he was the second conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and needed to be acknowledged.
Thank you, Maestro. And thank you, Clason.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Ease on Down the Road
Two years ago, the Liberty Theatre presented "The Wiz." It was one of the best shows done at the Liberty that I'd seen.
Even though there were no live musicians, the taped music was OK because the performers were so good.
The Liberty is bringing back "The Wiz," but for just one weekend, May 4-6. If you want to see it, you'd better get your tickets now. Show times are 8 p.m. May 4-5 and 3 p.m. May 6.
Dionne Daniels is a very sassy Dorothy with Ometrise Richmond as the Tin Man, Antonio Lawrence as the Lion and Walter J. Whelchel as the Scarecrow. Then there's Cheryl Johnson as Addaperle. She is just hilarious. Sylvia Wilson is Evilene and she owns that role. Whelchel and T.J. Abner as the Wiz are new to the cast. The rest of the principals were in the production two years ago.
All that said, if you love "The Wizard of Oz" stories, you need to see this show.
Two years ago, executive director Gayle Daniels said a lot of people called after the run and asked if she would extend the show because they didn't see it. And people told them they should have.
Because the show is so expensive, she could only run the show one weekend. Can she extend the show this year? Nope. Lawrence has to be at a relative's graduation the following weekend and he really can't be replaced. He's that good. But then again, so are the others.
I'm sure the Liberty would love to see three sold-out shows.
So go. You'll have a lot of fun.
And if you're one of those people who are afraid to venture into the Liberty district at night, don't be. I'm there all the time after dark and nothing has happened to me or my car. You'll be glad you went to the Liberty Theatre.
Even though there were no live musicians, the taped music was OK because the performers were so good.
The Liberty is bringing back "The Wiz," but for just one weekend, May 4-6. If you want to see it, you'd better get your tickets now. Show times are 8 p.m. May 4-5 and 3 p.m. May 6.
Dionne Daniels is a very sassy Dorothy with Ometrise Richmond as the Tin Man, Antonio Lawrence as the Lion and Walter J. Whelchel as the Scarecrow. Then there's Cheryl Johnson as Addaperle. She is just hilarious. Sylvia Wilson is Evilene and she owns that role. Whelchel and T.J. Abner as the Wiz are new to the cast. The rest of the principals were in the production two years ago.
All that said, if you love "The Wizard of Oz" stories, you need to see this show.
Two years ago, executive director Gayle Daniels said a lot of people called after the run and asked if she would extend the show because they didn't see it. And people told them they should have.
Because the show is so expensive, she could only run the show one weekend. Can she extend the show this year? Nope. Lawrence has to be at a relative's graduation the following weekend and he really can't be replaced. He's that good. But then again, so are the others.
I'm sure the Liberty would love to see three sold-out shows.
So go. You'll have a lot of fun.
And if you're one of those people who are afraid to venture into the Liberty district at night, don't be. I'm there all the time after dark and nothing has happened to me or my car. You'll be glad you went to the Liberty Theatre.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Garrison Keillor and Michael Burks
OK, so the two men really don't have anything in common. That I know of.
Let me start with Keillor. I just don't get him. I've tried to listen to his show. My good friend Clason Kyle gave me a very expensive ticket for Keillor's appearance at the Springer Opera House. I hate to say this, but I left right after intermission.
I know many of you adore the man. I also know that there are fewer than 70 tickets left for the live radio broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" on April 28. Michael Rogers, the box office manager, just told me that there are nine seats in the $125 section right up front. And there are 68 limited view seats scattered in the Bill Heard Theatre. Those tickets are $40, $55 and $65.
So if you're dying to see the show, you'd better call the box office right away. That number is 706-256-3612.
Back to Michael Burks.
We've know each other for longer than either one of us would like to admit. Let's just say I was very, very young. He is much older.
When we met, he was doing marketing for WRBL-TV 3. Then Michael joined the Air Force and left town.
After he retired, Michael returned to Columbus, where we met up again. This time, he was the executive director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. And his youngest son was in high school.
That job wasn't exactly the right fit for him, and he went to work at Uptown Columbus.
What I didn't know about was his hobby. He was writing scripts. Movie scripts.
And while he was stationed in England, he met a guy, Tom Reeve, a British director and writer. The two of them have been collaborating for several years.
His first movie, "Diggity: A Home at Last," was filmed partially in Columbus, and starred Andrew McCarthy.
His second movie, "George and the Dragon," starred James Purefoy, Piper Perabo, Patrick Swayze, Michael Clarke Duncan and my favorite, Val Kilmer.
"George and the Dragon" is out on DVD now, so go buy one in a store near you. Michael gets royalties, so he can buy me lunch!
Let me start with Keillor. I just don't get him. I've tried to listen to his show. My good friend Clason Kyle gave me a very expensive ticket for Keillor's appearance at the Springer Opera House. I hate to say this, but I left right after intermission.
I know many of you adore the man. I also know that there are fewer than 70 tickets left for the live radio broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" on April 28. Michael Rogers, the box office manager, just told me that there are nine seats in the $125 section right up front. And there are 68 limited view seats scattered in the Bill Heard Theatre. Those tickets are $40, $55 and $65.
So if you're dying to see the show, you'd better call the box office right away. That number is 706-256-3612.
Back to Michael Burks.
We've know each other for longer than either one of us would like to admit. Let's just say I was very, very young. He is much older.
When we met, he was doing marketing for WRBL-TV 3. Then Michael joined the Air Force and left town.
After he retired, Michael returned to Columbus, where we met up again. This time, he was the executive director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. And his youngest son was in high school.
That job wasn't exactly the right fit for him, and he went to work at Uptown Columbus.
What I didn't know about was his hobby. He was writing scripts. Movie scripts.
And while he was stationed in England, he met a guy, Tom Reeve, a British director and writer. The two of them have been collaborating for several years.
His first movie, "Diggity: A Home at Last," was filmed partially in Columbus, and starred Andrew McCarthy.
His second movie, "George and the Dragon," starred James Purefoy, Piper Perabo, Patrick Swayze, Michael Clarke Duncan and my favorite, Val Kilmer.
"George and the Dragon" is out on DVD now, so go buy one in a store near you. Michael gets royalties, so he can buy me lunch!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
You missed a great concert
If you weren't inside Legacy Hall last night for the Atanas Ourkouzoukov/Mie Ogura concert, you really missed a great one.
The guitarist and flutist were simply amazing.
I don't know how to play either the guitar or flute, and I'm certainly no expert on how either instrument should be played, but these two musicians were absolutely fabulous.
About 75 people were in the hall, which seats 450 people.
I realize it was a Monday night, but come on, people. It was free. And how many times are we able to see world-class musicians like this couple?
I also realize that the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music has at least one performance a night. Many of them are student recitals, but they're no less entertaining that the professionals who come to town.
I have to admit I haven't been a single student recital this year, but I try to go to at one a semester.
Student recitals should be free. But for concerts like the Ourkouzounov/Ogura concert, do you think there should be a ticket price? Even if it's $5? Does that make it seem more worthy?
I don't know.
I think because the Schwob School offers so many concerts every semester that the more free ones, the better.
But that's me. Let me know what you think.
The guitarist and flutist were simply amazing.
I don't know how to play either the guitar or flute, and I'm certainly no expert on how either instrument should be played, but these two musicians were absolutely fabulous.
About 75 people were in the hall, which seats 450 people.
I realize it was a Monday night, but come on, people. It was free. And how many times are we able to see world-class musicians like this couple?
I also realize that the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music has at least one performance a night. Many of them are student recitals, but they're no less entertaining that the professionals who come to town.
I have to admit I haven't been a single student recital this year, but I try to go to at one a semester.
Student recitals should be free. But for concerts like the Ourkouzounov/Ogura concert, do you think there should be a ticket price? Even if it's $5? Does that make it seem more worthy?
I don't know.
I think because the Schwob School offers so many concerts every semester that the more free ones, the better.
But that's me. Let me know what you think.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Guitar concert
Hey, I'm really looking forward to Monday night's concert in Legacy Hall.
Guitarist Atanas Ourkouzouov (don't ask me to pronounce that) will be performing at 7:30 p.m. He is one of the Carson McCullers Center for Musicians and Writers residents. He's composed a piece, "Broken Dance," for the CSU Guitar Ensemble that was performed last Thursday.
One of my colleagues, Michael Owen, is part of the Ledger-Enquirer Guitar Ensemble. It's led by former editorial page editor Billy Winn and also includes Mike Haskey. When I showed Michael a release that Ourkouzouov was going to perform, he said something very interesting. He said that he knows these guitarists can play classical music. Owen said he'd really like to hear them play other forms of guitar music.
Well, Michael, here's your chance to hear something other than classical guitar music. Ourkouzouov will be playing two jazz compositions. One is "No Mystery" by Chick Corea and the other is "Memories of Tomorrow" by Keith Jarrett. On the Jarrett piece, Ourkouzouov will be accompanied by his wife, flutist Mie Ogura.
The rest of the program includes three pieces by Ourkouzouov, "Quatre Legendres" accompanied by Ogura, "Toryanse" and "Kaleidoscore." Another is called "Traditionnel" and features African rondo, bossa, jongara, mini raga and samba for flute and guitar. Throw in a piece by Debussy and you've got a pretty well-rounded program.
I'll see you there tomorrow night.
Guitarist Atanas Ourkouzouov (don't ask me to pronounce that) will be performing at 7:30 p.m. He is one of the Carson McCullers Center for Musicians and Writers residents. He's composed a piece, "Broken Dance," for the CSU Guitar Ensemble that was performed last Thursday.
One of my colleagues, Michael Owen, is part of the Ledger-Enquirer Guitar Ensemble. It's led by former editorial page editor Billy Winn and also includes Mike Haskey. When I showed Michael a release that Ourkouzouov was going to perform, he said something very interesting. He said that he knows these guitarists can play classical music. Owen said he'd really like to hear them play other forms of guitar music.
Well, Michael, here's your chance to hear something other than classical guitar music. Ourkouzouov will be playing two jazz compositions. One is "No Mystery" by Chick Corea and the other is "Memories of Tomorrow" by Keith Jarrett. On the Jarrett piece, Ourkouzouov will be accompanied by his wife, flutist Mie Ogura.
The rest of the program includes three pieces by Ourkouzouov, "Quatre Legendres" accompanied by Ogura, "Toryanse" and "Kaleidoscore." Another is called "Traditionnel" and features African rondo, bossa, jongara, mini raga and samba for flute and guitar. Throw in a piece by Debussy and you've got a pretty well-rounded program.
I'll see you there tomorrow night.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
OK. So I lied
I promised I'd do better in blogging, but didn't keep my promise.
But since I've been told I have to keep this up at least three times a week, I'd better pay attention to my boss.
If you don't have any plans Friday night, let me suggest a fun thing to do.
I did it last year and had a blast.
It's the Gallery Stroll that Geri Davis put together for the Joseph House Art Gallery. The Joseph House is a cooperative of local and regional artists. Each artist has to spend at least one day at the gallery on a rotating basis in case someone comes in to browse or to buy art. Each artist "buys" wall space to show their work, so it's only fair that they take turns greeting the public.
Anyway, Geri's been having a tough time personally, but still put together this year's stroll.
It's called "The Lucky 13th Gallery Stroll" and is 6-9 p.m. Friday.
The galleries on the stroll are the Joseph House, 828 Broadway; Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway; the Galleria Riverside, 11 Ninth St.; the Garry Pound Studio, 100 Seventh St.; the Mark Lucas Studio, 1206 First Ave.; Parading Chicks Folk Art Gallery, 1145 First Ave.; Peachtree Gallery, 1242 Broadway; RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway and Taylor's Gallery, 731 Second Ave.
Last year, I was walking all over the place. This year, Uptown Columbus is furnishing a tram. Thank goodness.
I've been having knee problems and I don't know if I could walk from one end of Broadway to the other. OK, so it's not the whole length of Broadway; just four blocks. But they're long blocks.
Each location will have refreshments which you'll need if you're hoofing it. They'll also have food and door prizes. Many of them will also provide musical entertainment. There should be artists demonstrating their skills at some of them as well.
It's a lot of fun and I bet if you get a group of friends together, it'll be even more fun. And you might find something for your walls as well.
It's free.
If you have any questions, call Geri at 706-321-8948.
But since I've been told I have to keep this up at least three times a week, I'd better pay attention to my boss.
If you don't have any plans Friday night, let me suggest a fun thing to do.
I did it last year and had a blast.
It's the Gallery Stroll that Geri Davis put together for the Joseph House Art Gallery. The Joseph House is a cooperative of local and regional artists. Each artist has to spend at least one day at the gallery on a rotating basis in case someone comes in to browse or to buy art. Each artist "buys" wall space to show their work, so it's only fair that they take turns greeting the public.
Anyway, Geri's been having a tough time personally, but still put together this year's stroll.
It's called "The Lucky 13th Gallery Stroll" and is 6-9 p.m. Friday.
The galleries on the stroll are the Joseph House, 828 Broadway; Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway; the Galleria Riverside, 11 Ninth St.; the Garry Pound Studio, 100 Seventh St.; the Mark Lucas Studio, 1206 First Ave.; Parading Chicks Folk Art Gallery, 1145 First Ave.; Peachtree Gallery, 1242 Broadway; RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway and Taylor's Gallery, 731 Second Ave.
Last year, I was walking all over the place. This year, Uptown Columbus is furnishing a tram. Thank goodness.
I've been having knee problems and I don't know if I could walk from one end of Broadway to the other. OK, so it's not the whole length of Broadway; just four blocks. But they're long blocks.
Each location will have refreshments which you'll need if you're hoofing it. They'll also have food and door prizes. Many of them will also provide musical entertainment. There should be artists demonstrating their skills at some of them as well.
It's a lot of fun and I bet if you get a group of friends together, it'll be even more fun. And you might find something for your walls as well.
It's free.
If you have any questions, call Geri at 706-321-8948.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Catching up
My friend Troy Heard, who is now living in Las Vegas, and performing with Cirque du Soleil's "KA," has been so encouraging about my blogging. So has Diana Taylor, a former L-E photographer, who's doing gorgeous interior design work in the Tampa area.
I hate to disappoint them when I don't blog. So I'm going to try to do better.
This is just a quickie.
It's a reminder for all you old hippie-types to buy tickets to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the Bill Heard Theatre of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on either May 14 or May 15. It's going to be Ted Neeley's final tour of the show.
He's been playing Jesus in this show for almost 40 years. Neeley got the role in the 1973 movie version with the late Carl Anderson. Anderson played Judas.
I saw the movie, of course, and I saw the tour twice in Atlanta's Fox Theatre. Both times with Neeley and Anderson.
A few years ago, I'm guessing the producers wanted to try for a younger Jesus and hired rocker Sebastian Bach. I interviewed Anderson and he was very diplomatic. But I'm sure he missed his old friend. By the time the tour reached Atlanta, Bach had been fired. I don't know who replaced him. And a few months later, Anderson had died.
Neeley is now 63 and I guess the years of being on the road have caught up with him and he wants to spend more time relaxing.
I'm hoping to interview him when he gets here next month.
In the meantime, tickets are $40-$50 and can be purchased now. Call 706-256-3612.
I hate to disappoint them when I don't blog. So I'm going to try to do better.
This is just a quickie.
It's a reminder for all you old hippie-types to buy tickets to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the Bill Heard Theatre of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on either May 14 or May 15. It's going to be Ted Neeley's final tour of the show.
He's been playing Jesus in this show for almost 40 years. Neeley got the role in the 1973 movie version with the late Carl Anderson. Anderson played Judas.
I saw the movie, of course, and I saw the tour twice in Atlanta's Fox Theatre. Both times with Neeley and Anderson.
A few years ago, I'm guessing the producers wanted to try for a younger Jesus and hired rocker Sebastian Bach. I interviewed Anderson and he was very diplomatic. But I'm sure he missed his old friend. By the time the tour reached Atlanta, Bach had been fired. I don't know who replaced him. And a few months later, Anderson had died.
Neeley is now 63 and I guess the years of being on the road have caught up with him and he wants to spend more time relaxing.
I'm hoping to interview him when he gets here next month.
In the meantime, tickets are $40-$50 and can be purchased now. Call 706-256-3612.
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